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Ford Focus Ev

Stateside, Ford execs are quick to point out the automaker's expansion in the plug-in sector. And despite a minimal presence in the pure EV space, the Blue Oval has been promoting its plug-in vehicles as part of an overall effort to boost fleetwide fuel economy. Too bad the company's UK chief didn't get the memo.

The annual autofest known as the North American International Auto Show previews a plethora of exciting new products that we'll see and drive later in the year, from tiny urban commuters to family sedans and crossovers to hard-working big pickups and SUVs. It's also a once-a-year cornucopia of auto executives and leaders from around the world.

Ford will be voluntarily recalling 23,830 Focus Electric and C-Max Hybrid and Energi models equipped with push-button ignition, according to The Detroit News. Why? Because the cars don't make a noise when the driver's door is open, and are therefore in violation of federal regulations. It's not as silly as Honda's badging recall that isn't a recall, but it's close.

Between slow sales and a hefty price drop for its nearest rival, the Ford Focus Electric may be looking at a pretty substantial price cut. The Detroit News is reporting that Ford will drop the price of the all-electric by about $4,000 to $35,200 to be more competitive with the Nissan Leaf, which received a big price cut for 2013 down to $28,800.

Along with Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, Ford CEO Alan Mulally is confident in the growth of the electric car segment. It's a long-term play, though, so Mulally isn't committing the electric Ford Focus EV to making a strong sales statement. For now, Ford's chief says he'd be fine moving fewer than 5,000 Focus EVs in the model's first full year. And even that would mean a steep rise in uptake based on just 12 having been sold in December and January.

Along with Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, Ford CEO Alan Mulally is confident in the growth of the electric car segment. It's a long-term play, though, so Mulally isn't committing the electric Ford Focus EV to making a strong sales statement. For now, Ford's chief says he'd be fine moving fewer than 5,000 Focus EVs in the model's first full year. And even that would mean a steep rise in uptake based on just 12 having been sold in December and January.

There are two schools of thought when it comes to building electric vehicles. There are those that choose to retrofit an existing base and those that believe in building from the ground up. Ford falls under the former by using the bones of the Focus to create its electric vehicle. Not surprisingly, the biggest reason is money.

It's been nearly a full year since Ford made it clear that the automaker is planning to roll out an all-electric version of its Focus, and now we have our first glimpse at what to expect from the car. The Blue Oval has dusted off its first teaser of the New Year with a shot of the charging port on the EV Focus. Interestingly enough, Ford has decided to skip the Detroit Auto Show as a venue for the vehicle's unveil, opting instead for the electrified Focus to take a bow at this year's Consumer El

It's been nearly a full year since Ford made it clear that the automaker is planning to roll out an all-electric version of its Focus, and now we have our first glimpse at what to expect from the car. The Blue Oval has dusted off its first teaser of the New Year with a shot of the charging port on the EV Focus. Interestingly enough, Ford has decided to skip the Detroit Auto Show as a venue for the vehicle's unveil, opting instead for the electrified Focus to take a bow at this year's Consumer El

Look, it's the first electric car charger that makes us think of a lightsaber. What you see above is the new 25-foot long "convenience cord" that Ford will make available with the upcoming Focus Electric. The cord is designed to be kept in the car (in a "designated spot" in the trunk) and used to get 120V charging when you're out and about. Ford unveiled the cord today and confirmed to AutoblogGreen that it will come standard with the vehicle.

Ford Canada chief executive officer, David Mondragon, told a group of people attending a business luncheon at a Toronto-area hotel that electric vehicles (EVs) will account for the slimmest fraction of the market by 2020. Mondragon explains that consumers may opt for more fuel-efficient cars if gas prices creep up, but, he said, buyers will not embrace EVs unless either a dramatic shift in behavior occurs, or prices of battery-powered vehicles drop substantially.

As Ford prepares to start selling the Transit Connect Electric later this year and the Focus Electric in 2011, it has to thoroughly test the lithium ion battery systems used in these vehicles. To help accelerate the process, Ford has equipped all of its test vehicles and the battery packs being tested in the lab with wireless remote monitoring systems.